Cholera epidemics and their control in Ceylon

Summary Although cholera was never endemic in Ceylon, the country was subject to frequent (and in many instances explosive) cholera epidemics, due to its many contacts with the Indian sub-continent, the source where the disease was endemic. The frequency of epidemics was caused by the heavy movement of Indian labour working on the plantations of Ceylon between the two countries. This study charts the course of cholera in Ceylon beginning in the nineteenth century and seeks to identify the causes which led to its decline. Although there has always been doubt regarding the efficacy of quarantine in controlling cholera, its history in Ceylon indicates that whatever the drawbacks, quarantine was one of the major factors leading to the decline of this disease in the country. In addition, one of the essential elements in the battle against cholera in Ceylon was the development of a public health department which had the capacity to restrict the spread of an epidemic. This was done by the timely enforcement of various public health measures when the disease escaped the quarantine net. This survey also indicates that in the case of Ceylon, medical treatment and hospitalization was of no significance in controlling the number of deaths among those who contracted cholera, since all the great cholera epidemics occurred before treatment by intravenous re-hydration was introduced.     

Can Corruption Erode Confidence in Political Institutions Among European Countries? Comparing the Effects of Different Measures of Perceived Corruption

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of corruption on institutional confidence through testing alternative perceptions-based indexes of corruption. Scholars who have investigated this topic have often employed only indicators of corruption based on experts’ surveys. In this article we also consider a new index of corruption developed aggregating citizens’ perceptions. The first part of the paper explores the levels of corruption perceived by the citizens of EU member states, stressing the differences with the experts’ opinions. The second part tests, through a multivariate analysis, the impact of citizens’ and experts’ perceptions-based indexes of corruption on institutional confidence. The main results show that experts and citizens tend to express similar opinions on the extent of corruption in EU member states though, especially in some countries, these actors present some noticeable differences. Nevertheless, irrespective of the indexes used, more corrupt countries are characterized by lower levels of confidence in parliament and government. This relationship holds even controlling for the presence of reverse causality between corruption and confidence.     

家庭电子健康档案——公民健康权利的重要载体，人口与健康科学数据的重要来源

一、“人”是健康的核心、科研的落脚点 健康是人类发展所必须关注的一个永恒的基本的主题,但绝不仅仅是单纯的医学问题。长期以来,随着诊疗技术的不断发展,健康领域越来越为医院、医务工作者和医学科研人员所主导,患者的地位越来越被动,“未病”者的生存与健康状况更是难以得到及时、有效和持续的制度性监测、研究和干预,导致突发公共卫生事件频发,社会危害严重。     

The dynamics of smallpox epidemics in Britain, 1550–1800

Time-series analysis, a valuable tool in studying population dynamics, has been used to determine the periodicity of smallpox epidemics during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in two contrasting representative situations: 1) London, a large city where smallpox was endemic, and 2) Penrith, a small rural town. The interepidemic period was found to be two years in London and five years in Penrith. Equations governing the dynamics of epidemics predict 1) a two-year periodicity and 2) that oscillatory epidemics die out quickly. It is suggested that epidemics were maintained by a periodic variation in susceptibility linked either to a five-year cycle of malnutrition or to an annual cycle. Computer modeling shows how the very different patterns of epidemics are related to population size and to the magnitude of the oscillation in susceptibility.     

Has the HIV Epidemic Peaked?

This study reviews the highly diverse regional and country patterns of HIV epidemics and discusses possible causes of the geographic variation in epidemic sizes. Past trends and projections of the epidemics are presented and the peak years of epidemics are estimated. The potential future impact of new prevention technologies is briefly assessed. A final section summarizes the future impact of the epidemic on key demographic variables. The main finding of this analysis is that the HIV epidemic reached a major turning point over the past decade. The peak years of HIV incidence rates are past for all regions, and the peaks of prevalence rates are mostly in the past except in Eastern Europe, where they are expected to peak in 2008. But owing in part to the life‐prolonging effect of antiretroviral therapy and to sustained population growth, the absolute number of infected individuals is expected to keep growing slowly in sub‐Saharan Africa and to remain near current levels worldwide, thus posing a continuing challenge to public health programs. No country is expected to see a decline in its population size between 2005 and 2050 that is attributable to high mortality related to AIDS.     

On the Measurement of Interpersonal Trust Transfer: Proposal of Indexes

This paper investigates the measurement of trust transfer in interpersonal contexts. Despite the importance of this topic, little evidence of comparable indicators exists to fill the current gap in knowledge regarding the measurement of interpersonal transference of trust and its reciprocal. We propose a modification of the classical structure of a widely accepted experimental setting for analyzing trust (i.e. a trust game) and build two indexes for the measurement of trust transfer and its reciprocation. Several properties of these indicators are investigated to examine their robustness and accuracy for measuring the transference of interpersonal trust. Furthermore, using data from our own modified trust game, we provide an empirical examination of both indexes. The results show that the existence of a mutually known third party fosters a stronger willingness to achieve cooperative behavior in an anonymous trust game; thus, the transference of interpersonal trust works in both directions of the dyad.     

When is collaboration not collaboration? When it's militarized

In adopting the medical lobby's preferred definition of collaboration where midwives are legally compelled to seek endorsement for their care plan from an obstetrician, Determination 2010 connotes a form of militarized collaboration and thus negates all that genuine collaboration stands for--equality, mutual trust and reciprocal respect. Using Critical Discourse Analysis, the first half of this paper analyses the submissions from medical, midwifery and consumer peak organisations to the Maternity Services Review and Senate reviews held between 2008 and 2010 showing that Determination 2010 privileges the medical lobby worldview in adopting a vertical definition of collaboration. The second half of the paper responds to the principal assumption of Determination 2010--that midwives do not voluntarily collaborate. It argues by reference to a qualitative inquiry conducted into select caseload maternity units in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales during 2009-2010 that this presupposition is erroneous. The evidence shows that genuine collaboration is possible without legislative force but it requires a coalition of the willing among senior midwives and obstetricians to institute regular interdisciplinary meetings and clinical reviews and to model respectful behaviour to new entrants.     

The structure of mortality during catastrophic years in a pre-industrial society

Abstract The aim of the study is to examine the way in which the pattern of mortality in a pre-industrial society differed in catastrophic years from that in 'normal' years. Five Finnish parishes with a total population of 21,000 in 1850 were examined. The deaths were classified by season, age and cause. The results support the theory that epidemics not directly connected with starvation were the main causes of mortality peaks.     

Native American population at contact: discursive strategies and standards of proof in the debate

The author reviews the literature on the estimation of population size in the Americas at the time of European contact in the late fifteenth century.     

Fertility and nuptiality changes in Spain from the late 18th to the early 20th century

Abstract 1.1. The course of Spanish population growth from the end of the 16th to the beginning of the 18th century was set by the effects of what demographers call 'catastrophic' mortality. As in most European populations, the occasional but recurrent ravages of epidemics, especially plague, wiped out the excess of births over deaths accumulated in 'normal' years. How accurate and close to reality this statement is cannot be discussed here; but we shall assume that, until the rSth century, short-term growth was offset by mortality above the normal levels caused by epidemics.     

Gender and Development in Youth Media

This article addresses the conditions of possibility for international youth who produce media in the context of the AMIGOS/IDA development program run by Amigos de las Americas (AMIGOS) and an International Development Agency (IDA) in rural Nicaragua. The authors examine the conditions within which youth make decisions to produce media about gender, in order to examine how media, gender, and hope intersect in the context of youth-led development programming. Gender emerges as a popular and significant focus for media production in the context of social change within this context. The authors draw on qualitative case study data to argue that modernist development norms and post-feminist sensibilities contribute to the assemblage of complex pedagogical spaces that animate and inform a cautionary analysis regarding marginalization, power, and the limits of pedagogical interventions and liberation discourses.     

“Your a Ugly,Whorish, Slut”

In recent years, the mainstream media has identified on-line vitriol as a worsening problem which is silencing women in public discourse, and is having a deleterious effect on the civility of the public cybersphere. This article examines the disconnect between representations of “e-bile” in media texts, and representations of e-bile in academic literature. An exhaustive review of thirty years of academic work on “flaming” shows that many theorists have routinely trivialized the experiences of flame targets, while downplaying, defending, and/or celebrating the discourse circulated by flame producers. Much contemporary scholarship, meanwhile, ignores e-bile completely. My argument is that this constitutes a form of chauvinism (in that it disregards women's experiences in on-line environments) and represents a failure of both theoretical acuity and nerve (given that it evades such a pervasive aspect of contemporary culture). The aim of this paper is not only to help establish the importance of on-line vitriol as a topic for interdisciplinary scholarly research, but to assist in establishing a theoretical problematic where what is seen is barely regarded as a problem. Overall, my argument is that—far from being a technology-related moral panic—e-bile constitutes a field of inquiry with a pressing need for recalibrated scholarly intervention.     

Trend Analysis of Medical Publications About LGBT Persons: 1950–2007

Although there are currently at least 6 million lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the United States, there are no prior studies analyzing how this group is represented in the medical literature. An examination of published LGBT topics over a 57-year period was performed using OvidSP. A total of 21,728 publications was analyzed for topic using information from the title, keywords, subject headings, and abstracts. Several trends became apparent. The largest proportion of LGBT publications (31.78%) was devoted to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet there was an overall lack of emphasis on general health topics or common causes of mortality. Further analysis showed that if publications on HIV/AIDS or STIs addressed sexual orientation, they were more likely to be about LGBT persons than heterosexuals. Overall, the volume and range of medical publications on LGBT persons may not be reflective of the health care needs of this population.     

Trend analysis of medical publications about LGBT persons: 1950-2007

Although there are currently at least 6 million lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the United States, there are no prior studies analyzing how this group is represented in the medical literature. An examination of published LGBT topics over a 57-year period was performed using OvidSP. A total of 21,728 publications was analyzed for topic using information from the title, keywords, subject headings, and abstracts. Several trends became apparent. The largest proportion of LGBT publications (31.78%) was devoted to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet there was an overall lack of emphasis on general health topics or common causes of mortality. Further analysis showed that if publications on HIV/AIDS or STIs addressed sexual orientation, they were more likely to be about LGBT persons than heterosexuals. Overall, the volume and range of medical publications on LGBT persons may not be reflective of the health care needs of this population.     

中国区域人力资本积聚路径和机制研究

文章利用中国2000和2005年数据,证明区域工资水平差距、资本密度、空间距离和人口平均受教育程度对人力资本积聚有着显著影响,特别是通过大区域模型的检验阐明增长极、城市化、产业集群的作用,继而得出落后地区需要通过培育增长极城市、大力推进城市化、促进产业集群发展及大力发展教育等改变区域内部层级结构,以扭转自身人力资本积聚的劣势地位,实现区域的人力资本积聚,实现经济持续快速的增长。     

1990-2010年广东省人口与经济空间集聚特征研究

本文以广东省1990、2000、2005、2010年的人口普查数据和GDP数据为主要指标,通过运用GeoDA软件的空间自相关分析模块,分析各县（市区）人口、经济集聚特征及两者空间上的协调关系及差异。结果表明：（1）广东省各县（市区）的人口和GDP空间分布表现出显著的高值和低值集聚特征,人口和经济空间集聚格局变化平稳但区域间经济发展差异日益扩大;（2）广东省人口与经济空间集聚均形成珠三角高高集聚和粤北山区低低集聚的基本格局;（3）广东省各县（市区）人口与经济发展存在明显的地域不均衡性,协调发展类型可划分为高水平协调型、低水平协调型、滞后型和超前型四类。分析指出广东人口与经济发展空间差异的主要影响因素是自然条件、历史发展基础、区位条件、区域政策和区域空间效应等,并提出增强珠三角辐射带动能力和发展粤东西北经济增长极等促进区域协调发展的建议。     

A Decade of Microaggression Research and LGBTQ Communities: An Introduction to the Special Issue

ABSTRACT

Though the Supreme Court of the U.S. legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, heterosexism and transphobia has continued to manifest through many systems in the US — from lack of federal protection in employment non-discrimination laws to polices that prohibit transgender people from using bathroom and public facilities that match their gender identities. Heterosexist and transphobic discrimination have also persisted through interpersonal interactions — ranging from more overt forms (e.g., hate crimes, bullying) to more subtle forms of discrimination, otherwise known as microaggressions. Since 2008, there have been hundreds of articles written on microaggressions, with dozens focusing specifically on experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Qualitative and quantitative studies have revealed that LGBTQ people who experience microaggressions have reported negative outcomes like depression, low self-esteem, and trauma. This special issue aims to further Microaggression Theory by providing theoretical and empirical papers that focus on the manifestation and impact of microaggressions on LGBTQ people. Using an interdisciplinary approach, articles range in topic from intersectional identities, to health and psychological outcomes, to advancing research methods. Future studies regarding microaggressions and LGBTQ people are discussed- highlighting the influence of the changing landscape of heterosexism and transphobia within general society, as well as new dynamics that have formed and developed within LGBTQ communities.     

Corporate Mobilities Regimes. Mobility,Power and the Socio-geographical Structurations of Mobile Work

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of mobility regimes and points out three discursive dimensions: the normalization, rationalization and time-space-compression of mobility. It concentrates on corporate mobility, business travel and mobile work, and gives a focused overview on current developments in research. Sociology has largely neglected the topic of spatial mobility. Dealings with distance and travel, however, are driving forces for the modernization of modern societies. Economic activity is based on mobility and companies deploy sophisticated mobility regimes to be present in markets. The increase in mobile work brings new issues centre stage such as the control of mobile workers, social cohesion and the spatial complexity of corporate activities. The author theorizes mobile work and business travel as signifiers for social change in the organization of work. He presents theoretical reflections based on empirical work conducted among mobile workers in the IT, mechanical and the chemical industries.     

Exploring unwarranted clinical variation: The attitudes of midwives and obstetric medical staff regarding induction of labour and planned caesarean section

BackgroundUnexplained clinical variation is a major issue in planned birth i.e. induction of labour and planned caesarean section.AimTo map attitudes and knowledge of maternity care professionals regarding indications for planned birth, and assess inter-professional (midwifery versus medical) and intra-professional variation.MethodsA custom-created survey of medical and midwifery staff at eight Sydney hospitals. Staff were asked to rate their level of agreement with 45 “evidence-based” statements regarding caesareans and inductions on a five-point Likert scale. Responses were grouped by profession, and comparisons made of inter- and intra-professional responses.FindingsTotal 275 respondents, 78% midwifery and 21% medical. Considerable inter- and intra-professional variation was noted, with midwives generally less likely to consider any of the planned birth indications “valid” compared to medical staff. Indications for induction with most variation in midwifery responses included maternal characteristics (age≥40, obesity, ethnicity) and fetal macrosomia; and for medical personnel in-vitro fertilisation, maternal request, and routine induction at 39 weeks gestation. Indications for caesarean with most variation in midwifery responses included previous lower segment caesarean section, previous shoulder dystocia, and uncomplicated breech; and for medical personnel uncomplicated dichorionic twins. Indications with most inter-professional variation were induction at 41+ weeks versus 42+ weeks and cesarean for previous lower segment caesarean section.DiscussionBoth inter- and intra-professional variation in what were considered valid indications reflected inconsistency in underlying evidence and/or guidelines.ConclusionGreater focus on interdisciplinary education and consensus, as well as on shared decision-making with women, may be helpful in resolving these tensions.     

A Review Essay on the Measurement of Child Well-Being

Research on indicators related to the state of child well-being is a growing field that has experienced several changes over time. The growing supply of data on children, as well as the need to facilitate conclusions and to track trends, has led researchers to develop a number of child well-being indexes. This paper critically reviews the most recent and relevant child well-being indexes, i.e., the Index of Child and Youth Well-Being in the United States, the Child Well-being Index for the European Union, the Microdata Child Well-being Index, and the Deprivation Index. The study focuses primarily on the contributions and innovations the indexes have brought to the field, making a critical assessment of the methods used in the construction of the indexes and identifying their main limitations.